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Start Preamble

AGENCY:

Department of Defense, Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

Start Further Info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM, (703) 601-3740.

The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittals 10-71 with attached transmittal, policy justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve Bahrain's capability to meet current and future armored threats. Bahrain will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be AM General in South Bend, Indiana, and Raytheon Missile Systems Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Bahrain.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Transmittal No. 10-71

Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act

Annex

Item No. vii

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:

1. The Radio Frequency (RF) TOW 2A Missile (BGM-71E-4B-RF) is a direct attack missile designed to defeat armored vehicles, reinforced urban structures, field fortifications and other such targets. TOW missiles are fired from a variety of TOW launchers. The TOW 2A missile (both wire & RF) contains two tracker beacons (xenon and thermal) for the launcher to track and guide the missile in flight. Guidance commands from the launcher are provided to the missile by an RF link contained within the missile case. The hardware, software, and technical publications provided with the sale are Unclassified. However, the system itself contains sensitive technology that instructs the system on how to operate in the presence of countermeasures.

2. The Radio Frequency (RF) TOW 2B Aero Missile (BGM-71F-3-RF) is a direct attack missile designed to defeat armored vehicles, reinforced urban structures, field fortifications, and other such targets. The TOW 2B features a dual-mode sensor and an armament section equipped with two warheads different from those used in other TOW versions. The TOW 2B is designed to fly over the top of a tank, where it is less heavily armored, and destroy it from above by simultaneously detonating the missile's two explosively formed penetrator warheads downward. The fly-over shoot-down flight profile permits the attack of targets in defilade, protected by berms or other fortifications. The extended range of the TOW 2B Aero was accomplished with minor modifications to the TOW 2B. The new aerodynamic feature ensures stable controllable flight to 4.5 kilometers while using the current propulsion system. The TOW 2B Aero, with its longer range and faster time to target, increases battle space and allows commanders the ability to better shape the battlefield.

3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures which might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.